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Basketball is a wildly popular sport. Whether you're watching it on TV, playing it with friends, or just playing it on your own in the driveway, basketball isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Naturally, if you play, you want to excel at the game. The following article has excellent tips that will show you how to better your basketball playing skills.
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It's simple to want to work on offense when you're getting into basketball, but it's smarter to think about defense practice too. Defense is what wins basketball games. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.

Balance is important when shooting. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique. Those who do this are improvising. Keep your balance so you can consistently win points.

Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. You should expect layups to represent about 80% of all the shots you take in a game. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. Go to a bunch of professional games in person, watch them on television, or just get online to search for basketball videos. Every player has skills that make them good, and you can work on the skills they use.

Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.

You can learn to trick the opposing team. Make use of the back pass. Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. The last step is to flick your wrist in the direction you want the ball to land. This will trick your opponents.

Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes. Be vigilant to detect openings or weaknesses that make it easier to take the shot.

If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back. The core links both the lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they will have limited athletic performance. Building strong core muscles will allow your to jump higher, run faster and maintain your balance.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly. Exercise your abdominal muscles as well as those of the hips, buttocks and back. Jumping rope is a favorite amongst professionals when practicing. By jumping rope, you improve speed and footwork.

After reading the above article you should have an idea on what it takes to follow the game of basketball. It isn't hard, but does take some effort. Once you begin playing basketball, you will probably want to play often. Whatever you do, remember to have fun!